A couple recent guest posts have been related to road trips. They got me in the mood to share a story of my own…
A thousand years ago (approximately)… prior to having kids, the hubby and I took a road trip to see my family in California. We’d made the drive previously, and by taking turns, we were able to make it without stopping for the night. We decided to try this again, and headed out shortly after we got off work for the weekend.
We drove for many hours before realizing we were both rapidly running out of steam. It was difficult to let the other person rest up for their turn driving, when we had to keep each other awake. After numerous attempts (rolling the windows down, blaring the radio, chewing gum…) we decided we had to stop and load up on caffeine and sugar.
We ordered muffins, pancakes that we could load the syrup on, and of course coffee/soda. We got enough of a boost to make it over the Grapevine, just as the sun came up. Soon adrenalin and excitement took over as we maneuvered through bumper to bumper traffic (and a high speed pursuit)… then we finally arrived safely at my parents house.
We had a great visit, and all too soon we were back on the road headed home. I’d been driving a few hours, and we were just South of Stockton (around Lodi).
Our conversation somehow turned to which of us was a better driver. I quickly pointed out that I’d never received a ticket before… and that he definitely couldn’t say the same.
We kept on teasing, and he told me I was lucky to be a girl so I could ‘flirt’ my way out of tickets. Tiring of the conversation as well as my turn at the wheel, I decided to pull off at the next exit to stretch my legs and let him take over.
The conversation continued as I pulled onto the off-ramp. When I glanced in my rear-view mirror, I noticed a police car behind me… then there were two. My heart started to beat a little faster and sure enough… his lights turned on and my stomach dropped.
I can tell you without a doubt that any laughter or joking that had previously taken place by me was now completely forgotten. I couldn’t imagine what was going on, and with TWO police cars behind me, I was pretty nervous.
I figured the hubby would be pretty anxious as well, but as I pulled the car over, he started to laugh. Not just the quick ha-ha type… it was the kind that just keeps on going…
I glanced over at him in disbelief… astounded that he wasn’t just as scared (and serious) about what was happening as I was. As the officer approached my window, I thought my heart would pound out of my chest. When he leaned down, there wasn’t an ounce of friendliness on Officer Cranky’s face.
I was contemplating how to handle the situation, as well as my hysterical husband… but before I could say or do anything, Officer Cranky asked me for my license and registration, then proceeded to ask if I knew how fast I’d been traveling.
At this point, my dear hubby burst out laughing again. I was so surprised that I almost laughed out loud myself. I wasn’t sure what to say or do as Officer C shot me (and the hubby) a nasty look.
He advised that after passing ten cars, it’s a good indication that you’re speeding. I pondered that for a second, and thought about the tons of semis I’d passed that were barely crawling up the hill.
It was very obvious as my hubby continued to snicker and chuckle, there would be no getting out of this ticket. Officer C wrote it out, handed it to me, then pulled away with his partner (in car #2) right behind him. Lucky me, I’d picked the exact spot to exit that the Officer and his buddy were meeting up for lunch.
Needless to say I can no longer brag that I’ve never had a ticket, however… I blame the hubby and his laughter! I’ve only been pulled over one time (about three years ago) since that instance, and I’m happy to report I only got a warning (it was much easier without the hubby laughing in the passenger seat).
Have you talked or flirted your way out of a ticket? I’d love to hear your story…
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
No, I neverhave tried to flirt my way out of a ticket. If I had, I probably would have been arrested.
This is where men have a disadvantage!
My hubs is a cop. Back in his traffic ticket writing days, he didn’t sway when it came to flirting. But honesty got many-a-people out of a ticket. If they did the whole “wow, I was totally lead-footing it officer, I’m sorry” and if they didn’t have a spotty driving record, he’d send them on their way.
I, however, got out of 2 tickets by flirting. The first one was while I was in college. I had an old Mustang with no AC. So I was driving from home school in cut off shorts and a bikini top (I’m all at once embarrassed I used to dress like that, yet sad that my bikini body is loooooong gone. I digress). The State Trooper who pulled me over took one look at my “outfit” as I batted my eyes and giggle. Ticket time was over.
The second time, I had my first “baby” with me. I had the cutest Cocker Spaniel ever. She went everywhere with me. The officer that got me that time was a huge dog lover and when he approached my window, Phoebe (the dog) turned on the charm. She jumped and yipped and did all her cute dog trickes. He’s was charmed and let me go.
But the law caught up to me 6 years ago. I was speeding–to BIBLE STUDY I MIGHT ADD–and a trooper got me. No cute dog, no bikini top. My speeding and dodging ticket days officially came to an end. My hubs found it hysterical I finally got my comeupance.
Hey, I’ve been stopped on the way to Church. All the people I knew came streaming by. Needless to say, I expected the minister’s prayer to include my name that Sunday “And help Marty’s foot be light. Amen.”
Oh, Glynn. Some police are female, you know. (I didn’t say that.)
I was never cute enough to flirt my way out of (or into) anything. That’s okay. Being ugly has kept me honest….
I’ll trade your road trip ticket for cleaning up the children’s previoulsy enjoyed meals from the floorboards any day:)
I tried to flirt my way out of a ticket once. She gave me one, anyway. And yes, it was a SHE.
Billy…. I’m going to share a story at the bottom of this post. Or maybe two. I’ve talked/flirted my way out of a few tickets. A line from an Adam Sandler movie, “Let the Master show you how to get it done.”
I’m laughing and spewing tea out of my nose…well, almost. What a great story, I’m sorry to say that I never could flirt my way out of a ticket but with police being mostly male…that is probably a good thing!
Peace,
Jay
I have never actually been pulled over for speeding. Most of my traffic tickets happen while I am parked. (Expired meter, no-parking zone, expired licence, parked the wrong way etc.)
I was once stopped at a routine roadblock on my way to a prayer meeting, and I happened to have three warrants for my arrest. (Long story, not my fault.) Luckily I had had them all withdrawn the day before, and just hadn’t taken the paperwork to the traffic department yet.
GREAT POST! And I’m extremely sorry for all the comments I’ve posted on this blog. It just happens to be I’m very chatty today.
Anyway, Story time.
I had just picked up my mail at the post office. I had my reading lights on in my car, I was driving with my knee, while I read my mail. Swerving all over the road, I had forgotten to turn on my headlights (it was late at night) and forgotten to buckle up.
When the cop pulled me over, I tried to keep my feet hidden because I wasn’t wearing shoes. When he asked for my registration and license, I had to reach over to the glove compartment and he saw my feet. I’ve never thought a cop would say this to me, but he said,
“You know you are suppose to wear shoes when you drive, right?”
Since our post office is 5 miles from our house, I hadn’t grabbed my wallet, so no driver’s license or proof of insurance. The tags on my car were expired by one month.
Basically, I was headed for juvie, but we got to talking.
“Hey, you’re Marty. Do you know my wife, Brianne?”
“What’s her last name?”
After he told me, I was like, “Ya, I do remember her…”
“Ya, she mentioned that you were staying late to study with her once.” ( I was a tudor)
“She’s a smart girl. How’s she doing in school?”
“Almost ready to graduate!”
“Cool.”
And then he started talking some more about the ticket…. “Okay, by my calculations, you have about $650 worth of tickets here, but I’m gonna just tell you to get home and don’t ever do this again.”
He walks away. I’m speechless.
Regaining my composure, I say, “Say Hi to your wife!”
The sad part, I don’t remember her. I know I tudored her, but I can’t for the life of me know who she is.
And another story is when I talked my way out of running a stop sign… But another time, another place. And this situation was a lady cop, and ya… I flirted. inappropriately. I’ll tell you sometime.
Sorry for talking so much!
Marty Duane
I’ve never tried to flirt my way out of a ticket. My first ticket, I cried through it, but the officer was unmoved by my tears. Then, about 2 years ago, when Sadie was a puppy, her cuteness got me out of one. Yay for dogs!
You guys are awesome! I’ve enjoyed reading your comments/stories all day. I’ve come back a few times when I needed to laugh again. Thanks!
so i, too, am not cute enough (nor outlandish enough) to flirt my way out of a ticket.
but boy, can i talk…
i’ve been pulled over no less than seven times, and only been ticketed twice. the first time i talked the officer down from reckless endangerment (i was doing 92 in a 70) to a $117 ticket (88 mph–i consider back to the future a lucky movie for me now).
the second time i got a ticket was on the way to the church fourth of july picnic, and instead of officer cranky, i had Officer Cowboy Swagger Who Doesn’t Believe I Have No Drugs or Alcohol In the Vehicle. Gr, the memory still makes me angry.
but my favorite lines are either–”oh my gosh, officer, i totally didn’t realize i was speeding until the very moment you flipped on your lights and i can’t believe i was going that fast, i’m so horrible” all in a breathless gush, or just *sniff sniff* and burst out crying. works like a charm.
Still giggling at the picture of DC laughing and giggling and getting you in trouble!! ROFLMAO!!!!
Even if the officer was a woman, I can’t see flirting with her to try to get out of a ticket. Although I’m not a flirter so I’m sure I wouldn’t be doing it right. I’ve had two tickets in my lifetime- not a fun experience!